I've missed blogging. I've really been into the food blogs lately with all the beautiful pictures, etc. So, though I'm not quite ready for that, nor do I have the time, I thought I would blog a bit about my recent cooking adventures. I've been cooking lots of new things lately and trying to incorporate LOTS of variety into our diets. Thank God for Pinterest and Food Network online and Allrecipes and the Pioneer Woman (LOVE HER!)...well, and google, since I often just google recipes. We RARELY eat out...I mean, really RARE...an occasional lunch out, dinner out maybe once a month. We order in maybe 2-3 times a month tops (pizza, chinese), for those super busy nights when I'm too tired to cook. But for the most part, we eat at home all the time. I think that's pretty rare these days. I'm fortunate to be able to work from home, so I can usually fit starting dinner into my work day. I know how lucky I am.
I've been on a cooking spree lately...trying out so many new recipes. Some have been successful, some not so much. The most disappointing was Ina's Lobster Mac & Cheese. I think there were a couple of reasons I was so disappointed:
1. The cost of the meal. At $30 for 1 lb of lobster meat, two expensive and really good cheeses, whole milk, butter, etc. it was pricey.
2. It was TOO rich! Sean and I agreed that it would make a decent side to a steak, but was way too heavy as an entree. When you are spending that kind of money on a home-made meal, you want to be able to enjoy it as an entree, but not this one.
3. Sean actually felt sick afterward, from the heaviness of it.
4. I love Ina and almost all of our recipes are some of my favorites, so I was disappointed in this one.
5. The great reviews - I'm a big advocate of reading reviews to know what I'm really getting myself into on a new recipe and this one had AWESOME reviews, but alas, it just wasn't for us.
Needless to say, I won't be making that one again.
Aside from that, we've had some really yummy stuff: Spicy Peach Glazed Chicken Breasts with Grilled Peaches, Delicious Crab Cakes with homemade Aioli, Grilled Pork Chops with Arugula and Grape Salad, Mango Rice Salad with Curry Shrimp, Pizza with Lamb and Tzaztiki Sauce...I could go on. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I'm so proud of myself using my Cozi app to plan our meals for the week and immediately set up my Cozi shopping list. Cozi is a lifesaver! I LOVE IT! We save money by utilizing ingredients in multiple ways and have way less waste. And we're eating more nutrient-rich and yummy foods. This week I even tried out something new with my shopping. I headed to Sprouts for all of my produce and saved BIG! It always blows my mind how much money I save when I drive the extra 3 minutes to Sprouts. I have to remember this.
This week's dinner menu is:
Monday: Pepper jack Chicken with Succotash and Cantaloupe
Tuesday: Marinated Salmon Smoked on Cedar, Wild Rice, Brussel Sprouts
Wednesday: Grilled Pork Tenderloin a la Rodriguez with Apricot Glaze and Orange-Habanero Mojo, Strachan Mac & Cheese, Peas
Thursday: Roasted Stuffed Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers on the Grill with Chorizo
Friday: Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza
I'm going to whip up some tuna salad and citrus infused apples for lunches for Sean & I. I also plan on making some healthy Zucchini Muffins and Peanut Butter/Oatmeal Bars for breakfast for the kids (and myself). I have to get Connor out of only wanting frozen waffles/french toast or pop tarts for breakfast. That kid needs some variety in his diet.
It's also time to add some variety to Ian's diet. Grant it, the kid will eat ANYTHING you put in front of him, but his school meals are pretty boring because I always send what is easiest. This week, gonna steam some broccoli and carrots, send some of the aforementioned muffins and bars, etc. I really want my children to appreciate good, nutritious food. Connor is FAR from that right now, so I'm currently looking into ways to sneak more veggies into his meals.
So, that's my food post for the week. What's on your menu for the week?
Monday, July 22, 2013
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Seriously?
Okay. So, as stated in Monday's blog, I had back surgery back in April. I've been improving steadily and starting to feel more & more like myself...until Monday afternoon...
I don't know what happened. I was definitely having a little weakness recently, but I just assumed it was because I'd been working out more and moving more...and that Connor now weighs almost 20 pounds and I'm lifting him constantly. Apparently, I was wrong. I was innocently sitting at my desk working on a project, and I decided to get up and walk around. As soon as I lifted out of my chair, I knew something was not right. And I said to myself, "well, that's not good". I didn't do anything unusual...just stand up. I chose to believe it was a fluke thing. Unfortunately, it has progressively worsened over the past few days. Yesterday morning, I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed and go to work. Sean looked at the pain in my face and told me I should just call in sick. I took his advice. When I finally did get out of bed, I walked to the bathroom in tears, upset that I was going through "this" again and stepping through the pain. I decided I was going to call my surgeon for an appointment. I soon learned that he doesn't take appointments on Tuesdays as this is a surgery day for him. I opted for a massage instead. I tried to convince myself that maybe it's just my piriformis muscle acting up again and a good massage with the amazing Melanie would fix it. So, luckily, Melanie had an opening mid morning for an hour & a half massage. (On a side note, a few years ago, once I discovered the 1.5 hour massage, I have not been able to go back to the hour massage. I feel so cheated.) I gave Melanie the latest on my condition and asked for her help. She worked on my piriformis, glutes, and IT bands for a solid hour, saving the final half hour for the rest of my back and arms. (I also suggested that they should offer a 2 hour massage.) I spent the majority of the massage speculating that maybe she had fixed it by working on this knot or that one...maybe stretching out that tight IT band would magically make it all better. My body was definitely in bad shape. Although it wasn't the most relaxing massage I've had, it was still heavenly, and the spasming of my muscles stopped, temporarily. However, once Melanie left the room so that I could dress, I sat up on the table and I knew she had not "fixed me" as I could still feel the root of the pain.
Today I was able to get in to see my surgeon. Thankfully, he does not believe that my problem is related to my disc. He doesn't know what has caused this, but he believes that it is a "flare up" that happens to some individuals. I'm hopeful that he's right, hopeful being the key word. I definitely have my doubts. I'm starting a 6-day regimen of steroids and muscle relaxers and was told to "take it easy". If I'm not better by Monday, he told me to give him a call and we'll take the next steps.
My boss has been very understanding about all this. She told me that she thinks it best that I work at home until I return to the doctor. I'm relieved that she is so understanding. The thought of sitting at my desk brings tears to my eyes. So, I've spent this afternoon working from my bed. It's days like today that I'm grateful we decided to upgrade our Tempurpedic bed, purchased earlier this year, by adding the adjustable base. I'm able to recline and put my feet up so that I can work from my laptop comfortably! My other option is to work from the kitchen table while standing. So, that's where I'll be for the next few days...
I'm trying to stay positive...as best I can. For now, I'm focusing on the fact that Sean will be picking up Connor in 10 minutes and I get to see his smiling face. I'll also focus on the fact that I have an incredibly understanding and helpful husband. Despite my current pain, I'm one lucky gal!
I don't know what happened. I was definitely having a little weakness recently, but I just assumed it was because I'd been working out more and moving more...and that Connor now weighs almost 20 pounds and I'm lifting him constantly. Apparently, I was wrong. I was innocently sitting at my desk working on a project, and I decided to get up and walk around. As soon as I lifted out of my chair, I knew something was not right. And I said to myself, "well, that's not good". I didn't do anything unusual...just stand up. I chose to believe it was a fluke thing. Unfortunately, it has progressively worsened over the past few days. Yesterday morning, I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed and go to work. Sean looked at the pain in my face and told me I should just call in sick. I took his advice. When I finally did get out of bed, I walked to the bathroom in tears, upset that I was going through "this" again and stepping through the pain. I decided I was going to call my surgeon for an appointment. I soon learned that he doesn't take appointments on Tuesdays as this is a surgery day for him. I opted for a massage instead. I tried to convince myself that maybe it's just my piriformis muscle acting up again and a good massage with the amazing Melanie would fix it. So, luckily, Melanie had an opening mid morning for an hour & a half massage. (On a side note, a few years ago, once I discovered the 1.5 hour massage, I have not been able to go back to the hour massage. I feel so cheated.) I gave Melanie the latest on my condition and asked for her help. She worked on my piriformis, glutes, and IT bands for a solid hour, saving the final half hour for the rest of my back and arms. (I also suggested that they should offer a 2 hour massage.) I spent the majority of the massage speculating that maybe she had fixed it by working on this knot or that one...maybe stretching out that tight IT band would magically make it all better. My body was definitely in bad shape. Although it wasn't the most relaxing massage I've had, it was still heavenly, and the spasming of my muscles stopped, temporarily. However, once Melanie left the room so that I could dress, I sat up on the table and I knew she had not "fixed me" as I could still feel the root of the pain.
Today I was able to get in to see my surgeon. Thankfully, he does not believe that my problem is related to my disc. He doesn't know what has caused this, but he believes that it is a "flare up" that happens to some individuals. I'm hopeful that he's right, hopeful being the key word. I definitely have my doubts. I'm starting a 6-day regimen of steroids and muscle relaxers and was told to "take it easy". If I'm not better by Monday, he told me to give him a call and we'll take the next steps.
My boss has been very understanding about all this. She told me that she thinks it best that I work at home until I return to the doctor. I'm relieved that she is so understanding. The thought of sitting at my desk brings tears to my eyes. So, I've spent this afternoon working from my bed. It's days like today that I'm grateful we decided to upgrade our Tempurpedic bed, purchased earlier this year, by adding the adjustable base. I'm able to recline and put my feet up so that I can work from my laptop comfortably! My other option is to work from the kitchen table while standing. So, that's where I'll be for the next few days...
I'm trying to stay positive...as best I can. For now, I'm focusing on the fact that Sean will be picking up Connor in 10 minutes and I get to see his smiling face. I'll also focus on the fact that I have an incredibly understanding and helpful husband. Despite my current pain, I'm one lucky gal!
Monday, August 2, 2010
I'm older AND better!
Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. Yes, I'm a little sad about being older, but I'm choosing to view this as an opportunity to be better...a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better "luvah", a better worker, a better daughter, sister, aunt, a better smiler, a better cook, a better reader, a better exerciser (is that even a word), a better laundry-doer...a better Kelley...the best Kelley I can be, (at least for 32...I expect to be EVEN BETTER at 33).
Inspired by my Sarah's blog, I've decided that journaling (or blogging in my case, since I type faster than I could ever write) might be a nice outlet for me again. I've journaled on and off through the years, but who has time to write in a journal at night? I attempted to blog once before...and failed miserably...only posting a few short entries. However, as previously stated, I'm better now. :) So I also expect to be a better blogger, too.
So, what does turning 32 mean to me? Well, I'm a very different person at 32 than I was just a short year ago. My 32nd year brought MAJOR changes to my life. I started a new job in the "big corporate world" with CIGNA Health Insurance in March 2010. It's been a good change for me. I had back surgery, a discectomy, in April 2010. Apparently, I'd been living with a herniated disc for over a year. I knew something was wrong, but wanted to believe my doctors when they said it was pregnancy hormones causing the excrutiating pain. They were proven wrong with an MRI.
But, of course, my biggest life change was giving birth to my precious Connor last fall. He's the light of my world! There is nothing better than his sweet head on my shoulder first thing in the morning OR his big smile when I arrive home from work OR the deep belly laugh that he gives me when I'm giving him neck zerberts.
I know that all parents say the same cliche things about becoming a parent, and I used to think "whatever" and roll my eyes when they would say such things. Unfortunately, I have to admit that they were all right. There IS nothing like becoming a parent. The love you feel for your little one IS INDESCRIBABLE. They DO change your world in ways you can't imagine. All of these things are so true. Becoming a mother has been the most rewarding experience of my life. But it also has brought challenges that I wasn't prepared for. Yes, I'd heard about the sleepless nights (even though we really didn't have too many of those since Connor has been such a great sleeper). Yes, I knew breastfeeding would bring moments of frustration. What I wasn't prepared for and have struggled with the most...is trying to figure Kelley out again. How can I be the Kelley I was and also be this completely new role, mommy? How do I find time to do all of the things that I loved so dearly before? How do I find time to nurture my relationship with Sean? How do I deal with the guilt of going to work every day and leaving him in daycare? Don't misunderstand me. I think daycare is great for him. The social interaction he partakes in and what he learns from the other children is fantastic! Sean and I both believe that social skills are the major building blocks to success in life. Regardless of that, I still crave all of that time with him and want him all to myself. How do I balance this with the need to better myself? At the end of every work day, I want to rush home and spend his last hours of the day playing with him, reading & singing to him, showing him new things. How can I do this and still have time to go to the gym, or read, or cook a big meal, or go to happy hour with friends? It's like this mini-identity crisis. My friend Christie, described this to me perfectly one day: "You start to realize that no one ever gets 100% of you. Everyone only gets a little piece." I think that's what is so difficult for me. I want to give Connor & Sean 100% of me and I can't. And how do I balance that with still needing to find fullfillment in work and my own recreational life?
I'm working through this process gradually. In the last month, I've finally started figuring some of this out. I've managed to start fitting in workouts during my work day. One of the advantages of the corporate world is the wonderful free gym at my office. I've also begin attending Zumba classes at the rec center on the way home from work some days. I've been to happy hour, a scrapbooking night with the girls, a play at the theater and a few movies. I started reading a new book that I plan on discussing with my girlfriends on our upcoming beach trip. I've been able to nurture my love for cooking by making some fun meals on the weekends. Somehow, I'm managing to find some time for myself. A little bit at a time, I'm finding Kelley, the wife, the friend, the "luvah", the worker, the daughter, the sister, the aunt, the smiler, the reader, the cook, the exerciser...even Kelley, the laundry-doer and intermingling her with Kelley, the "mommy".
So, I'm figuring it out...it'll be an ongoing journey. Maybe I'll never be 100% to everyone, but I am starting to find the time to do things that I love and still find time for those neck zerberts. I guess this is another part of parenthood that you have to work through. It just gives me one more thing to work to be better at...
Inspired by my Sarah's blog, I've decided that journaling (or blogging in my case, since I type faster than I could ever write) might be a nice outlet for me again. I've journaled on and off through the years, but who has time to write in a journal at night? I attempted to blog once before...and failed miserably...only posting a few short entries. However, as previously stated, I'm better now. :) So I also expect to be a better blogger, too.
So, what does turning 32 mean to me? Well, I'm a very different person at 32 than I was just a short year ago. My 32nd year brought MAJOR changes to my life. I started a new job in the "big corporate world" with CIGNA Health Insurance in March 2010. It's been a good change for me. I had back surgery, a discectomy, in April 2010. Apparently, I'd been living with a herniated disc for over a year. I knew something was wrong, but wanted to believe my doctors when they said it was pregnancy hormones causing the excrutiating pain. They were proven wrong with an MRI.
But, of course, my biggest life change was giving birth to my precious Connor last fall. He's the light of my world! There is nothing better than his sweet head on my shoulder first thing in the morning OR his big smile when I arrive home from work OR the deep belly laugh that he gives me when I'm giving him neck zerberts.
I know that all parents say the same cliche things about becoming a parent, and I used to think "whatever" and roll my eyes when they would say such things. Unfortunately, I have to admit that they were all right. There IS nothing like becoming a parent. The love you feel for your little one IS INDESCRIBABLE. They DO change your world in ways you can't imagine. All of these things are so true. Becoming a mother has been the most rewarding experience of my life. But it also has brought challenges that I wasn't prepared for. Yes, I'd heard about the sleepless nights (even though we really didn't have too many of those since Connor has been such a great sleeper). Yes, I knew breastfeeding would bring moments of frustration. What I wasn't prepared for and have struggled with the most...is trying to figure Kelley out again. How can I be the Kelley I was and also be this completely new role, mommy? How do I find time to do all of the things that I loved so dearly before? How do I find time to nurture my relationship with Sean? How do I deal with the guilt of going to work every day and leaving him in daycare? Don't misunderstand me. I think daycare is great for him. The social interaction he partakes in and what he learns from the other children is fantastic! Sean and I both believe that social skills are the major building blocks to success in life. Regardless of that, I still crave all of that time with him and want him all to myself. How do I balance this with the need to better myself? At the end of every work day, I want to rush home and spend his last hours of the day playing with him, reading & singing to him, showing him new things. How can I do this and still have time to go to the gym, or read, or cook a big meal, or go to happy hour with friends? It's like this mini-identity crisis. My friend Christie, described this to me perfectly one day: "You start to realize that no one ever gets 100% of you. Everyone only gets a little piece." I think that's what is so difficult for me. I want to give Connor & Sean 100% of me and I can't. And how do I balance that with still needing to find fullfillment in work and my own recreational life?
I'm working through this process gradually. In the last month, I've finally started figuring some of this out. I've managed to start fitting in workouts during my work day. One of the advantages of the corporate world is the wonderful free gym at my office. I've also begin attending Zumba classes at the rec center on the way home from work some days. I've been to happy hour, a scrapbooking night with the girls, a play at the theater and a few movies. I started reading a new book that I plan on discussing with my girlfriends on our upcoming beach trip. I've been able to nurture my love for cooking by making some fun meals on the weekends. Somehow, I'm managing to find some time for myself. A little bit at a time, I'm finding Kelley, the wife, the friend, the "luvah", the worker, the daughter, the sister, the aunt, the smiler, the reader, the cook, the exerciser...even Kelley, the laundry-doer and intermingling her with Kelley, the "mommy".
So, I'm figuring it out...it'll be an ongoing journey. Maybe I'll never be 100% to everyone, but I am starting to find the time to do things that I love and still find time for those neck zerberts. I guess this is another part of parenthood that you have to work through. It just gives me one more thing to work to be better at...
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